The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.

1 SAMUEL 26:11KJV
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1 Samuel 26:11 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 26:11 mean?

1 Samuel 26:11 shows David refusing to harm King Saul, whom he calls "the LORD'S anointed," and instead telling his companion to take Saul’s spear and water jug as proof they had been there. David insists that he will not attack Saul, leaving Saul’s fate in God’s hands rather than taking matters into his own.

In this verse, David is speaking to Abishai while they are secretly in Saul’s camp at night. Saul is hunting David, but David has the chance to kill Saul while he sleeps. Instead, David chooses not to harm Saul because Saul is still God’s chosen king. David’s actions highlight his respect for God’s authority and his refusal to gain power by violence.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 26:11

  • "the LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that David’s respect for Saul is rooted in his reverence for God’s choice.
  • "forbid" (חָלִילָה, chalilah): This word often expresses a strong sense of moral refusal, like saying “far be it from me.” David is making it clear that harming Saul is unthinkable to him.
  • "anointed" (מָשִׁיחַ, mashiach): This means “anointed one,” referring to someone set apart by God, usually by the ritual of anointing with oil. David’s use of this word underlines that Saul still holds a sacred status as king, despite his actions.

Why 1 Samuel 26:11 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David’s refusal to harm Saul is not just personal restraint but a deep respect for God’s authority and decisions.
  • The verse shows that David is willing to trust God with the outcome, rather than taking shortcuts to power or revenge.
  • In the wider story, this moment highlights the contrast between David’s character and Saul’s, and it sets an example of patience and faith in God’s timing.

Where else these words appear

“cruse” Hebrew H6835 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.
  • 1 Kings 17:12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
  • 1 Kings 17:16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

“bolster” Hebrew H4763 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 28:11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
  • 1 Samuel 19:13 And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.
  • 1 Samuel 26:7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.

“forbid” Hebrew H2486 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 18:25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
  • 1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
  • 2 Samuel 20:20 And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.

“anointed” Hebrew H4899 · used in 38 verses

  • Leviticus 4:3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.
  • 1 Samuel 26:16 This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.
  • Psalms 20:6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.